Having obtained the all clear from 2 specialists (back and knee’s) to resume running, I (John Nothard) thought it would be a good idea to give myself a target to aim for. For some reason I chose the ‘Hastings’.
Subsequently, training started with a 20 minute jog on the 29th January and progressed gradually through the sleet, rain and bitter cold winds, building up to 1.5 hours and losing 5 kilos somewhere along the way probably due to the lack of alcohol than the running.
The race day dawned bright and cold, with a light wind from the East.
Ron Gadd and I travelled down together meeting up with our other club runners in the changing tent.
After the usual exchanges of good luck, we were off. I have run this course twice before, so there was no surprises, except me getting to the top of the hill without stopping, now that was a surprise. The biggest problem for me was the run in, to the finish, along the sea front, it just went on for ever and I was rapidly flagging, had to start walking for a while at the 12 mile marker, but resumed running again, after a few minutes and managed to cross the line feeling like the living dead. Just managed to carry the horse brass of a medal back to the changing tent without falling over.
My time was 2.17.05 which I was reasonably satisfied with, given my prolonged absence from the sport.
Congratulations to Helen James and Ron Gadd for being prizewinners on the day!!
Main thing is the knocking clicking knees held out, as did the back, at least up to the time of writing this.
Thanks to all Vets for their support and kind words and especially John ‘your all going off to fast’ Soper, for running slowly with me on the 2 club runs I attended, prior to the race and buying me a beer.
Great to be back, after a fashion.